Liquid displacing apparatus



Jan., 5, 1932, wrr. MccABE LIQUID DISPLACING APPARATUS Filed July 20, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet Jam. 5, E932. w. T. MccABE 1,839,405

LIQUID DISPLAC ING APPARATUS Filed July 20, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jrvuantoz www fMfo'ae.-

Patented Jan. 5, 1932 NETE@ STATES PATENTl GFFICE LIQUID DISPLACI'NG APPARATUS Appncation med July 2o, 192s. serial No. 379,631.

This invention relates to a liquid displacing apparatus and particularlyA pertains to an automatic fluid-pressure operated liquid lifting mechanism of the type in which air or gas under pressure is employed to eii'ect4 elevation and discharge of a liquid from a well by displacement of the liquid: the invention further pertaining to a valve structure arranged in the intake end of the apparatus,

and to an automatic control mechanism at the discharge end thereof.

An object of the invention is to provide a pumping apparatus which is especially applicable for use in wells lined with tubular 5 casings and to provide a construction and arrangement whereby the well casing is uti- Another object is to provide a well pump which in operation will allow the natural flow of liquid from the terrain into the well thereby minimizing the sanding up or clogging of the well: no vacuum being induced in the liquid bearing strata or sands to ocf casion such sanding up as frequently occurs in the use of suction pumps.

Another object is to provide a liquid lifting apparatus of the above character in which 4 the use of packing is eliminated and in which 0 the operating parts are so mounted and arranged as to minimize wear thereon thus ob- Viating to a large degree any necessity of withdrawing the pump from the well to effect repairs and replacements thereof, thereby producing a pump system which, when installed, will endure for long periods of time without attention.

Another object is to provide a Well pump of the type referred to which is automatic 'lo in operation and is capable of being adjusted to adapt it to various capacities so as to obtain the maximum capaclty.

Affurther object is to provide a well pump which may be readily assembled and installed, which is economical in construction and operation, which is durable and not liable to get out of order.

With the foregoing objects in view, together with such other objects and advantages as may subsequently appear, the invention resides in the parts and in the combination, construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed and illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a view in vertical section, with parts broken away, of the portions of the pump structure applied to the upper and lower portions of the well casing;

Fig. 2 is a view in section and elevation of 70 the pump showing it as applied; Y

Fig. 3 is a detail in section of the lower portion of the pump showing the sleeve valve in the alternate position to that shown in Fig. 1; 75

Fig. 4 is a view in section, with parts in elevation, of the float chamber located at the upper end of the well embodying the automatic control elements;

Fig. 5 is a detail in section and plan as 80 seen on the line 5 5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a detail in horizontal section as seen on the line 6-6 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a detail in horizontal section as seen on the line 7 7 of Fig. 1; 85 Fig. 8 is a detail in section on line 8-8 of Fig. 5, of the air or gas control valve.

Referring to the drawings more specifically, A indicates generally a well casing, B designates an automatic control element, C denotes the pump element and D designates the pump discharge conduit.

The casing A constitutes the usual well casing, the lower portion of which is extended int-o the liquid bearing sands or strata and is provided with a series of inlet openings 10 through which liquid flows from surrounding stratas into the lower portion of the casing.

In carrying out my invention, the upper end of the casing is fitted with a sealing cap 11 having an air or gas intake opening 12 through which air or gas is delivered into the well casing from a suitable source of air or gas supply directed through a pipe 13 connecting 'with the opening 12 and leading from the` suitable source of supply of air or gas under pressure; the pipe 13 being equipped with a control valve 14 here shown in Figs. 5 and 8 as comprising a three-way valve of the rotary type.

The automatic control element B embodies a cylindrical wall 15 closed at its lower lend with a bottom wall 16 and at its top end with a top wall 17. The walls 15, 16 and 17 enclose a float or receiving chamber 18 in which is disposed a float 19 adapted to move vertically on guide rods 20 and 21; sleeves 22 affixed be todthe float slidably engaging the guide ro s.

The valve 14 includes a housing a formed with three ports b, c and d, and a valve mem ber e formed with a T-passage f; the pipe 13 connecting with the port b, a pipe g leading from a suitable source of fluid pressure connecting with port c, and a pipe' 71. leading from he float chamber 18 connecting with the port A threaded stem 23 has screw engagement with the upper end of the float for longitudinal adjustment relative to the latter whereby the projecting length of the stem may be varied as occasion may require, and pivotally connecting with the upper end of the stem 23 is a link 24 leading to and pivotally connecting with the outer end of a crank 25 fixed ona rock shaft 26 mounted in a bearing 27 and extending through the upper portion of the cylinder 15 and connected to the valve member ein such manner that oscillation of the rock shaft 26 will effect turning of the valve member e in its housing a to dispose the valve in either of two positions according to the position of the float 19; the valve being disposed to direct fiuid (air or gas) under pressure from pipe 9 to the well casing A through pipe 13 when the float is in its lowermost positionand being disposed to cut ofi' the fluid pressure supply and to vent air or gas from the casing A and deliver the .vented air or gas to the float chamber through the pipe h when the fioat reaches a predetermined elevated position.

Where the pump is applied to oilrwells, a water drain pipe 29 is provided which communicates with the lower portion of the float chamber 18 through the bottom wall 16; the drain pipe being fitted with a normally closed manually controlled cut-off' valve 30. An oil drain pipe 31 is provided which opens tothe float chamber at a point spaced above thebottom thereof and in spaced relation to the upper end of the water drain pipe, which oil drain pipe leads to a suitable point 0I" discharge. A pipe 32 leads from the upper end of the float chamber and leads to a gas trap (not shown) from which the air or gas ,employed in operation of the pump may be drawn, and in which vapors may be condensed. and collected.

' The pump conduit D affords communica# tion between the ump element C and the float chamber 18; t e pump element C being disposed in the lower portion of the well casing and the pump conduit D leading therefrom through the well casing and passing through a packing gland 33 on the cap 11 and opening to the float chamber 18 through a downwardly opening spout 34 leading thro-ugh the upper portion of the cylinder 15, whereby liquid elevated by the pump element will be delivered into the float chamr. The pump element C embodies a tubular upper end section 35 having a converging end portion 36 which is screwed into engagement with the lower end of the pump conduit D, and having' its lower end portion screwed into engagement with a. t-ubular section 37 the lower end of which has screwed thereon a 'sleeve 38 formed with a pair of spaced flanges 39 and 40 forming an annular channel around the upper portion of the sleeve in which is disposed a sealing ring 41 preferably formed of lead or other soft metal. The ring 41 is adapted to frictionally engage the inner periphery of the well casing to afford a seal between the casing and the lower outer peripheral portion of the pump element. The lower end of the sleeve 38 is formed with an inturned marginal flange 42 which bears against the lower end of the tubular section 37, the margin of which flange is bevelled and surrounds an opening which constitutes the intake of the pump element. The tubular section 37 is provided with a partition 43 which is spaced from the lower end of the section 37 and divides this section into upper and lower chambers 44 and 45 respectively, and the cylindrical side wall portion of section 37 above the partition 43 is provided with a series of inlet openings 46 in the form of elongated longitudinally extending slots, arranged in circumferential rows with the upper row spaced below the upper end of the section37 and through which openings fluid may pass from the well casing into the 'interior of the tubular section 37.

Formed in the wall of the section 37, below the partition 43 and above the sealing ring 41 are openings 47 which serve as outlets through which liquidmay pass from the perforated lower portion of the well casing into the imperforated portion thereof above the sealing ring-41; the latter being disposed at a point above the uppermost openings 10 of the well casing. 5

Arranged in the section 35 is a nozzle 48 in cluding a cylindrical wall 49 enclosing a chamber 50 in which is mounted a reciprocal piston 51; an annular flange 52 on'the lower end portion of the wall 49 being interposed between the inturned end flanges 53 and 54 on the contiguous ends of the sections 35 and 37 whereby the nozzle 48 is held in place. The lower end portion of the nozzle with its engaging flanges constitutes a 'wall which separates the chamber 44 of the section 37 from the chamber 35 enclosed by the section 35. The wall 49'is formed with a series of openings 55 arranged adjacent the ange 53 which openings are adapted to be alternately opened and closed by the piston 51. The nozzle 48 is formed with a converging or conical upper end 48 which projects into the tapered or converging end portion 36 of the section 35 and formed in the tapered end portion of the nozzle is an upwardly opening passage 56 leading from the end of the nozzle into the piston chamber 50.

The piston 5l is mounted on a piston rod 57 which extends downwardly through the chamber 44 and passes through the partition 43 being slidable in and guided by a collar 58 formed on the partition. lower` end of the piston rod 57 is a sleeve valve 59 the outer circumferential face of which slidably seats on the-inner periphery of the lower end portion of the pump section 37, which sleeve valve is adapted on reciprocation of the piston rod 57 to alternately open and close the openings 47.

The sleeve valve is connected to the piston rod by means of a hub 60 arranged interiorly of the sleeve valve and connected to the latter by webs 61; the hub 60 encompassing a reduced end portion 62 on the piston rod 57 and abutting at its upper end against a shoulder 63 on the rod and being held thereagainst by a nut 64 screwed on the lower end of the reduced section 62. The upper end of the hub 62 is tapered at 65 and is adapted to seat against the lower end of the collar 63 when the sleeve valve is in its uppermost position; the lower end of the collar 63 being bevelled at 66 to provide a seat for the tapered upper end of the hub 60 to seal the clearance space between the piston rod and the collar when the sleeve valve is in its uppermost position.

, rlhis construction obviates the use of packing between the piston rod and the wall 43. The piston 51 and the sleeve valve 59 are so spaced relatively to each other and are so related to the openings 47 and 55 that when the sleeve valve is in its lowermost position the openings 47 will be opened and the openings 55 will be closed and when the piston is in its uppermost position the openings 47 will be closed and the openings 55 will be opened.

In the operation of the invention liquid Hows naturally into the well casing through the openings 1() and passes upwardly through the interior of the sleeve valve when the latter is in its lowermost position and enters the well casing above the sealing ring 41 through the openings 47 and thence flows into the Mounted on thechamber 44iin the pump section 37through the openings 46 thus affording a supply of liquid in the well casing above the sealingV ring around the pump element and within.

the chamber 44. On directing air under pressure into the well casing by opening of the valve 14 this pressure will initially be directed against the volume of liquid in the well casing A and will thereby displace a portion of the liquid and cause liquid pressure to be imposed 011 the lower end of the piston 51 thereby elevating the piston in the chamber 5G to uncover the openings 55 and also cause the sleeve valve to move upwardly and close the openings 47.

On closing of the openings 47 communication between the source of liquid supply and the space in the well casing above the sealing ring 41 is closed so that the pressures developed by the incoming air under pressure will not be directed against the liquid supply. The air under pressure will then act to effect displacement of the liquid above the sealing ring 41 and cause such liquid to iow from the chamber 44 through the openings 55 into the chamber 35 in the pump section 35 upwardly around the nozzle 48. The chamber 35 in the section 35 above the openings 55 constitutes a compression chamber and by reason of having greater cross sectional area than the conduit D, the liquid in iowing around the tapered nozzle and through the converging throat entering the'lower end of the pump conduit will be directed into the latter with considerable velocity. On a quantity of the liquid being thus ejected from' thechamber 44 the supply of fluid pressurev to the well casing is cut olf by operating the valve 14 to `dispose the valve in position to close the communication vwith the source of fluid pressure supply-,fnd to place the well casing in communication with thefloat chainber 18 through the pipe 7L, whereby the uid pressure previously developed in the well casing will be reduced and a supply of the fluid will be directed into the float chamber.

On reduction of pressure beneath the piston 51 the latter will tend to gravitate back to its normal lowermost position; this movement being augmented by liquid flowing into the chamber 50 above the piston through the passage 56. The openings 55y will then be closed by the piston to prevent back ow of the column of liquid in the pump conduit D and the openings 47 will be opened to permit iniow of liquid from the well as before, whereupon the operation is repeated.

Timing of the iiuid pressure impulses on the liquid in the well casing is governed and effected by movement of the float 19, which` in turn. is governed by the accumulation of liquid delivered to the iioat chamber. Discharge of the liquid from the float chamber through the pipe 31 is slower than the inflow of liquid to the float chamber; the out- :operation of the valve 14EL to cut o let through the pipe 31 being made suiciently small to delay the How of the liquid from the float chamber so that on a charge of theliquid being delivered to the latter'the ioat 19 will be elevated suiiicientl to effect d theosupply of fluid pressure to the well casing. Upon cutting oil the supply of liquid to the iioat chamber liquid accumulated above the upper end of the pipe 31 will drain from the latter, whereupon the float 1 9 will move downwardly and .thereby effect reopeningof the valve lectv to the source df fluid supply. The interval of time required for the li u1d to drain from the float chamber and e ect lowering of the float is such as to allow the refilling of the'lower portion of the ,well-casingl by the natural seepage ofthel liquid through the liquid bearing sands or strata so that by the time the valve 14 reopens to direct another charge of iuid pressure into the well casing a volume of oil willhave accumulated above the sealing ring 41 as before described in readiness to be ejected. The lapse of time between successive discharges of the liquid may be varied by raising or lowering p the iloatl9 on its stem 23 so that the moment of the'disposingof-the float in the valveopening position may be advanced or dethe vapors generated in the well may be re- Y'covered as they pass with the operating fluid from the well casing A into the float chamber 18 and are then delivered through the Vvent 32 of the latter to suitable condensers,

thus avoiding waste of such vapors.

It is to be understood that the manner of carrying theV invention into e'iect is herein specifically set forth to enable those skilled in the art-to make and use the same and is to be considered as illustrative and not in a limiting sense; and that various changes may be made in the parts and in their construction and arrangement within the meaning of the terms and scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a :liquid displacing apparatus, the' combination with a well casing having liquid inlet openings in its lower end portion, a single discharge conduit disposed in said' casing, a pump element on the lower end of said conduit, means carried on said pump element for affording a seal between said element and the well casing above the inlet openings lia in tliezlatter, fluid pressure operated means embodied in said pump element for alternately opening and closing communication between the portion of said Well casing below said seal and the portion above said seal, means for intermittently confining an operating fluid under pressure in said well casing to iect operation of said last-named means,

and means embodied in said pump `element whereby 'the confined fluid under pressure will operate to eiiect displacement of liquid in the portion ofthe well casing above said seal and deliver it to dischargethrough said conduit.

2. In a Huid pressure operated liquid displacement pump, a pump element for positioning in awell casing, said pump element includlng upper and lower tubular sections, a partition separating the lower section into two superposed chambers, said lower section being formed with openings above and below said partition, a sealing ring surrounding the lower sections below the openings therein, said lower section being open at its lower end, a reciprocal sleeve valve in said lower section beneath said partition operable to cover and uncover the openings below said partition, a communication between the tubular sections, and a piston in said communication connected ble by fluid pressure applled therebeneath to y vopen said communication and to move said sleeve valve to its opening covering position.

3. In a fluid pressure operated li uid displacement pump, a pump element or positioning in a well casing, said pump element includlng upper and lower tubular sections, a partition separating the lower section into two superposed chambers, said lower section 'being formed with openings above and below said partition, a sealing ring surrounding the lower sections below the openings therein, said lower section being open at its lower end, a reciprocal sleeve valve in said lower section beneath said partition operable to cover and uncover the openings below said partition, a communication between the tubular sections, and a piston ,in said communication connected to saidsjleeve'valve; said piston being operablev by iiuid pressure applied therebeneath to open said communication and to move said sleeve valve to its opening covering position and means whereby a column of liquid ina said upper section will operate to depress said piston to close said communication when the fluid pressure therebeneath is suiiiciently' reduced.

4. In a fluid pressure operated liquid displacement pump, a pump element for positioning in a well casing, said pump element including upper and lower tubularsections, a partitionseparating the lower lection into two superposed chambers, said lower section being formed with openings above and below said partition, a sealing ring surrounding the lower sections below the openings therein, said lower section being open at its lower end, a reciprocal sleeve valve in said lower section beneath said partition operable to cover and i able by uid pressure applied therebeneath to open said communication and to move said sleeve valve to its opening covering position, said upper section having a reduced tapered upper end, a discharge conduit connected to the reduced end of 'said upper section, a tapered nozzle projecting into said tapered upper section formed with a chamber in which said piston is reciprocably mounted and formed with an upwardly opening passage leading from said chamber whereby liquid may flow from said upper section into said chamber and act tov depress said piston when fluid pressure beneath the piston is suiiiciently reduced.

5. In a fluid pressure operated liquid displacement pump, a pump element for positioning in a well casing, said pump element including upper and lower tubular sections, a partition separating the lower section into two superposed chambers, said lower section being formed with openings above and below said partition, a sealing ring surrounding the lower sections below the openings therein, said lower section being open at its lower end, a reciprocal sleeve valve in said lower section beneath said partition operable to cover and uncover the openings below said partition, a communication between the tubular sections, and a piston in said communication, a rod connecting said piston to said sleeve valve passing through said partition, and means on said rod operable to close a clearance space between the rod and partition when said sleeve valve is in its opening covering position.

WILLIAM T. MGCABE. 

